The Works of Edmund Burke (Volume 13)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1822. Excerpt: ... TRIAL or WARREN HASTINGS, ESQ. * FOURTH DAY, 10th FEBRUARY 1788. (MR. BUKKE.) MY LORDS, IN what I had the honour of laying before your Lordships yesterday, and in what I may further trouble you with to-day, I wish to observe a distinction, which if I did not lay down so perfectly as I ought, I hope I shall now be able to mark it out with sufficient exactness and perspicuity. First, I beg leave to observe, that what I shall think necessary to state, as matter of preliminary explanation, in order to give your Lordships a true idea of the scene of action--of the instruments, which Mr. Hastings employed--and the effects, which they produced--all this I wish to be distinguished from matter brought to criminate. Even the matter as stated by me, which may be hereafter brought to criminate, so far as it falls to my share at present, is only to be considered, in this stage of the business, as merely illustrative. illustrative. Your Lordships are to expect, as undoubtedly you will require, substantial matter of crimination to be laid open for that purpose, at the moment when the evidence to each charge is ready to be produced to you. Thus your Lordships will easily separate historical illustration from criminal opening. For instance, if I stated yesterday to your Lordships, as I did, the tyranny and cruelty of one of the usurping viceroys, whose usurpation and whose vices led the way to the destruction of his country, and the introduction of a foreign power--I do not mean to charge Mr. Hastings with any part of that guilt. What bears upon Mr. Hastings is, his having avowedly looked to such a tyrant and such a usurper, as his model, and followed that pernicious example with a servile fidelity. When I have endeavoured to lay open to your Lordships anything abusive, or leading to abuse, from def...